“You are responsible for mass suffering and mass deaths and we will not let you forget it”. Said a speaker at the Disabled People Against Cuts protest outside the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, with each speaker telling personal stories of suffering and neglect by the system. Also protesting this on an array of issues […]
Proposal to develop Central Retail Park into a car park represents the very worst of urban development in Manchester
Manchester Labour for a Green New Deal argue that the city council’s plans to turn the former Central Retail Park into a car park will increase traffic pollution, damage health and fail to tackle the climate crisis that the council has previously declared. The proposal by Manchester City Council to develop the site of the […]
Disabled people speak out about poor accessibility at Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride, a life affirming celebration of sexual and gender diversity for many, faces claims that it is failing in its stated aims of promoting “equality and diversity” due to poor accessibility for disabled people. Three people with disabilities tell of their disappointing and potentially dangerous experiences. A growing number of disabled people are voicing […]
Access to Pride should not be denied to disabled people
Pride in Manchester is becoming a bigger event with each passing year, reflecting the city’s reputation as a diverse and LGBT+ friendly place. But this year’s Pride celebrations were not inclusive for everyone, as some disabled attendees discovered during the weekend’s events. Concerns about event pricing, over-ticketing and poor organisation were raised by many people, […]
Lemn Sissay on his new memoir ‘My Name Is Why’
Lemn Sissay, award-winning and internationally acclaimed poet, was stolen from his birth mother and given to a foster family. He was thrown out by his foster parents at the age of 12 and sent to several children’s homes. He has written a memoir to tell his story of loss and healing, and he spoke to […]
Transgender people wait years for help in clinic system at ‘breaking point’
Imagine not feeling comfortable in your own skin for as long as you can remember. The toll on your mental and physical health of a life peppered with bullying and snide remarks due to you not fitting in to the gender stereotypes. You reach a decision to transition, and are filled with the hope of […]
Podcast review of Mark Thomas in Check Up: Our NHS @ 70
Mark Thomas is a comedian, political activist, investigative journalist and boasts of once being described as a ‘disgusting individual’ by former Lib Dem Leader David Steel. So when he came to Manchester for his latest show, ‘Check Up: Our NHS @ 70’, The Meteor jumped at the chance to check it out. Thomas is well […]
Show your face and go home: asylum seekers and migrants forced to travel from Stoke to Salford for two-minute appointments
People living in Stoke-on-Trent with pending asylum and immigration claims have been told by the Home Office that they have to report at Dallas Court in Salford – an 80 to 90-mile round trip. Over 80,000 people per year have to report at their local Home Office reporting centre or a police station. In the […]
Cabaret activist urges Mancunians to oppose latest NHS privatisation ruse
A novel cabaret approach to political education around our health service, urged the audience to get involved and oppose the incremental privatisation of our NHS. With songs and anecdotes recalling his past few years of “accidental activism”, Steven Carne entertained and informed the crowd at the Anthony Burgess Foundation, last Friday. He set the show […]
Man given eight-month sanction for missing an appointment. Can we please stop sanctioning people?
Guest article from, anti-poverty activist and journalist, Charlotte Hughes: As you may have heard Esther Mcvey has resigned from her role as the DWP minister because she doesn’t agree with the deal put forward by Theresa May, she actually stated that she wouldn’t be able to look her constituents in the eye. I found this […]